š£ From the Touchline ā Grassroots Football Update
- Steve Halls
- Apr 6
- 2 min read

As the 2024/25 season enters the final stretch, thereās been a flurry of updates in the world of grassroots football ā from fresh FA rule changes to ongoing efforts to improve the matchday experience for players, coaches, referees, and parents alike.
š Potential New Rule Changes Coming into Effect
š„ Sin Bins Now Extended Across More Age Groups
Following a successful pilot, The FA is expanding the use of temporary dismissalsĀ (sin bins) for dissent across more youth leagues. This aims to reinforce respect for referees and improve behaviour across the game. Expect to see more 8-minute sin bins at U13 and above ā even in some U12 divisions depending on the league.
š Rolling Subs Clarified
The FA has updated the rolling subs rule to avoid confusion during matches. Itās now clear that a substituted player can returnĀ during the same half, but all subs must take place from the halfway line with referee permission. Coaches are advised to brief their players regularly.
š£ļø Respect Barriers to Be Enforced More Strictly
More leagues are tightening up enforcement around spectator behaviour, with the Respect Barrier now mandatory for allĀ youth games. Some leagues are testing a āsilent sidelinesā initiative to help young players build decision-making confidence without too much outside noise.
āļø Weighting & Age Flexibility
A new trial being explored allows for greater flexibility for players who are physically smaller or newer to the game, helping to level the playing field. This could mean more cases of players training down a year group (with strict safeguards) to build confidence before stepping up.
š± Supporting the Growth of Grassroots Football
The FA and local authorities are continuing to invest in facilities, especially 3G pitches, coaching courses, and safeguarding standards. Clubs like ours at CHARS Youth FC continue to benefit from these improvements, but we all have a role to play in making the game safer, fairer, and more enjoyable.
š¢ Whether you're a player, coach, or parent ā it's a team effort!
š” What This Means for Our CHARS Youth Players
ā Coaches will be staying updated on the latest rule tweaks
ā Players will be reminded about respecting referees and teammates
ā Parents can expect an even more positive and supportive matchday experience
ā Weāll continue to put development first, with fun, focus, and fairness leading the way
š¬ Got questions or thoughts on any of the changes? Speak to your team coach ā weāre here to help make the game better for everyone.
COYC! šš
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